Collapsible tent construction



Oct. 16, 1962 R. L. BLANCHARD COLLAPSIBLE TENT CONSTRUCTION 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 9, 1958.

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IENTOR. Robe/"2 1 B/a/m/mrd Mari/7, Zidoy, Dar/"615 J Marci ATTORNEYS1962 R. L. BLANCHARD 3,058,480

COLLAPSIBLE TENT CONSTRUCTION Filed June 9, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR. Kobe/'1 L. B/ancfiard ATTORNEYS United States Patent O l3,658,480 COLLAPSELE TENT CONSTRUCTION Robert L. Blanchard, 163 W. 58thSt., New York 19,

Filed June 9, 1958, Ser. No. 740,809 Claims. (til. 135-1) This inventionrelates to relatively small tent constructions such as are used forcamping and other outdoor activities, and more particularly to tentstructures which are intended to be dismantled and collapsed intocompact bundles or assemblages adapted to be fitted into small packages.

One object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improvedtent construction of the type which may be completely dismantled,wherein the frame structure is characterized by being made up of arelatively large number of small, identical modular units adapted tocoact and interfit with one another in a simple manner so as toconstitute an advantageous framework for a tent body assemblage.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved tentconstruction having a frame structure .as above characterized, whichstructure may be most easily and quickly set up and as readilydismantled, all with a minimum of knowledge or thought on the part ofthe user.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel andadvantageous tent frame structure in accordance with the above, which isat all times sturdy and reliable, and able to withstand rough handlingand appreciable stresses without the likelihood of failure.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of a novel,modular-type tent frame structure wherein the modular units may bequickly and economically fabricated by well-known machine operations andtechniques, at relatively low cost.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improvedtent frame structure employing modular units, wherein a standardizedinterfitting connection is employed which is so constituted as to insureeasy, quick fits at all times, even under adverse conditions of weatherand temperature.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved tent coverassemblage characterized by a unique protected or hooded ventilatingwindow which prevents or minimizes the ingress of rain.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a simpleand unique tent frame construction constituted of inter-fitting modularparts or units, wherein the tent covering portion of the constructionwhen suspended by the frame structure functions to keep the lattercompletely assembled, preventing inadvertent separation of any of themodular units which make up the flame.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved tentconstruction as above characterized, wherein both the frame structureand the tent covering assemblage may be easily and very quickly set upand assembled to each other, and also dismantled.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying this specification, similar characters ofreference are used to designate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of an improved I tent constructionmade in accordance with the invention.

PEG. 2 is a top plan view of the tent construction shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in axial section,of one of a multiplicity of identical modular units employed in makingup the frame structure of the tent construction of FIGS. 1 and 2.

3,@5%8,48@ Patented Oct. 16, 1962 FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional viewthrough the tent construction, taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the improved tentconstruction.

FIG. 6 is a perspective, exploded view of the frame structure of thetent construction.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the foremost upper portionof the tent, showing the method of attaching the tent body to the framestructure.

The tent construction of the present invention is of the type having asuspended tent cover assemblage, and is streamlined and characterized bybeing not only stakeless and poleless, but also ropeless.

Referring first to H68. 1 and 2, the present tent construction asillustrated therein is seen to be constituted of a rigid, external framestructure indicated generally by the numeral 10, and a tent coveringstructure or assemblage indicated by the numeral 11, the latter beingadapted to be slung or suspended from the frame structure 16. The tentcover assemblage 11 is formed of usual tent material such as .atight-woven fabric, canvas or the like, and comprises a main bodyportion having expansive fabric side panels 13 and 14 connected togetheralong their top edges by an intermediate top panel 15 of generallyrectangular configuration.

The lower edges of the expansive side panels 13 and 14 are joined to arectangular fabric fioor panel 17 which, at its rear edge 18 is joinedto an upstanding rear panel 20 having generally the form of a regulartrapezoid. The configuration of the rear panel 20 is clearly shown inFIG. 4 for example.

In its upper portion, the rear panel 20 has a tapered flap 21 providedwith zippers 22 by which it may be readily separated along its sideedges from the rear panel for the purpose of providing a screened-windowor ventilation opening.

In accordance with the invention, a protective cover or hood is providedfor the rear ventilation opening, having the form of a tapered orpointed rear projection or hood on the fabric tent body, said projectionbeing indicated in F168. 1 and 2 by the numeral 24. The projecting hood24 may have four triangular sides, i.e., a top side or panel 25, twosloping side panels 26, and a bottom panel 27, FIG. 1.

The tent cover assemblage 11 is also provided with a shielded orprotected front opening or entrance-exit, which is also constituted tohave a pointed or tapered formation. This entrance and exit portion ofthe tent cover assemblage is designated generally by the character 30,and comprises a pair of triangular side panels 31 joined together alongtheir juxtaposed central edges by a zipper fastener 32, see FIG. 5. Theentrance-exit portion 30 further comprises narrow, elongate triangularpanels 33 joined to the upper edges of the side panels 31 and atriangular top panel 35 joined to the proximal edges of the panels 33.As clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the panels 31, 33 .and 35 are joinedto the side panels 13 and 14 and the top panel 15 of the main portion ofthe tent cover assemblage.

By the present invention there is provided a unique and advantageousframe structure adapted to support the tent cover construction describedabove. The said frame structure is of the type which may be completelydismantled and packed into a small space, and is constituted of aplurality of relatively small modular units each of which is identicalto the others, in conjunction with a pair of transverse connector unitsof special construction, and a pair of special adapter units cooperablewith the connector and modular units, all to the end that there iseffected a simple, easily erected and dismantled yet strong and sturdyframe structure which is especially advantageous in supporting the coverassemblage above described. All of the modular units are characterizedby male and female connector means at their respective ends, which arestardardized so that any one connector means will accommodate anotherconnector means of the opposite kind.

The present improved frame structure is illustrated in the explodedperspective view of FIG. 6, and comprises essentially a plurality of theidentical modular units designated generally by the character 38. Onesuch unit 38 is shown in FIG. 3 by itself, said unit constituting anelongate piece of tubular stock 39 having fitted to one end a shortlength of solid rod 40. Both the tubular member 39 and the solid memberor rod 40 are constituted of standard stock sizes of material,preferably metal. For example, the tubular member 39 may beadvantageously formed of aluminum or similar tubing, and the rod-likemember 40 may be constituted of aluminum alloy or of stiff and toughsteel or metal having similar properties. In each modular unit 38 therod 40 has a maximum outside diameter which is slightly smaller than theinside diameter of the open end of the tubular member 39, and by suchconstruction the projecting portion of the rod 40 may be easily,slideably fited into any of the open ends or sockets of other modularunits 38.

Referring further to FIG. 3, the rod member 40 of the modular unit 38 issecurely, rigidly fastened to one end of the tubular member 39 in theposition shown, and this may be accomplished in any suitable manner. Forexample, the enveloping end of the tubular member 39 may be staked rpunched as indicated at 41, or may be reduced in diameter to cause it tosecurely grip and hold the inserted portion of the rod 40, or the rod 40may be swaged or knurled to increase its diameter where it is disposedin the tubular member 39, and cement, solder or welding techniques maybe employed together or by themselves to fasten the rod-like member 40in the tubular member 39.

Referring now to FIG. 6, it is seen that the frame structure has a pairof front legs constituted each of three of the modular units 38, and apair of rear legs each constituted of two of the modular units 38. Asindicated, the said modular units 38 making up the legs are connected toeach other by inserting a rod portion 40 of one unit into the open endof a tubular portion 39 of another unit. It is understood that any ofthe rod portions may loosely slideably lit in any of the open endportions of other modular units, thereby making for quick assembly anddisassembly of the frame structure.

As shown, all of the four legs of the frame structure extend outward anddownward from an upper, rectangular portion of the structure, so as tobe divergent. This upper, rectangular portion of the frame structure isconstituted of two composite side members each of which consists of apair of the modular units 38, and in addition a single short adapterunit 42. The adapter units 42 are constituted each of a short section oftubular stock 43, and a longer rod-like portion or member 44 which ispassed through the tubular member 43 so that the two ends of the member44 project beyond the ends of the tubular member in a manner similar tothat of the rod portions 40 of the modular units 38. The rectangularupper portion of the frame structure further comprises a pair oftransverse connector units 46 formed of lengths of heavy tubular metalstock having a diameter appreciably larger than that of the tubularportionns 39 of the modular units 38. The connector units 46 havetransverse through openings or sockets 47 for accommodating the rods orpins of the long, side composite members of the upper portion of theframe. At the rear of the tent, such pins would be the rods 44 of theadapted units 42, whereas at the front of the frame the pins would beconstituted of the rods 40 of the foremost modular units 38.

At their centers, the connector members 46 also have through openings 49to accommodate frame extensions 50 and 51 located rspectively at therear and front of the frame structure. The rear extension 50 isconstituted of a single modular unit 38, whereas the front frameextension 51 is constituted of a pair of modular units 38. Also, thetransverse connector units 46 have additional pairs of through-openings54 to accommodate the rod portions 40 of the upper-most modular units ofthe four legs of the frame structure.

As with the modular units 38, the through-openings in the connectorunits 46 are sufficiently large to loosely slideably receive the rods 40whereby the assemblage of these various components may be quickly andeasily effected, as well as the disassembly of such components. Thecompletely assembled frame structure as provided by the invention isclearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

For the purpose of accommodating the lower extremities of the legs ofthe frame structure, the tent cover assemblage at the lower four cornersthereof is provided with tubular boots or receptacles 56 which may be ofrawhide or the like, into which such extremities may be readily slid.The tips of the pointed projections 24 and 38 of the tent coverassemblage are provided with hookshaped fittings 53 adapted to hook intothe open ends of the tubular members 39 of the modular unitsconstituting the front and rear frame projections 50 and 51, as clearlyshown in FIGS. 1 and 7. Also, the tent cover assemblage has hook-likefittings 66 at its front and rear corners, by which it may be hooked orfastened to the four legs of the frame structure between the lower andupper extremities thereof.

Further, in accordance with the invention, I provide a novel hanger orfastening means by which the upper rectangular portion of the tent coverassemblage may be easily and quickly attached to and suspended from theupper rectangular portion of the frame structure. This hanger meanscomprises a pair of elongate, flexible and stretchable fastening members62, which are in the nature of elastic straps, said members at theirextremities being anchored to the four upper corner portions of the tentcover construction at the points indicated by the numerals 63 in FIG. 1.The elastic straps 62 extend along the elongate side members of theupper rectangular portion of the frame structure, and are passed aroundthe ends of the connector units 46, inside of the protruding rodportions 40 of the composite side members. This is clearly shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. It will be seen that by stretching the elastic straps 62these may be quickly applied to or removed from the upper portion of theframe structure.

Preferably the adapter pieces 42 have knotted thongs or strings 65passing through them, said strings being permanently attached to theupper rear corners of the tent cover assemblage, as shown in FIGS. 1 and2, for the purpose of holding the adapters captive and preventing theirloss.

It will now be understood from the foregoing that the tent coverassemblage as thus provided securely holds in assembled relation all ofthe separable joints of the tent frame structure, and that before suchtent frame structure may be dismantled the tent cover assemblage mustfirst be removed therefrom. This is of considerable advantage in that itprevents accidental or inadverent collapse of the frame structure and ofthe tent under adverse conditions of use. However, whenever it isdesired to disman tle the tent, this may be quickly and easilyaccomplished by first stretching and removing the elastic strips 62, andthen separating the rest of the tent cover assemblage from the framestructure, whereupon the latter quickly and easily comes apart. Theentire tent construction when dismantled may be packed into a very smallunit occupying but little space. Yet, when the tent construction isassembled it will provide an appreciable space, and constitutes anadvantageous and practical shelter Wherever this may be desired, foroutdoor activities.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims,and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

1. The combination of a tent frame structure having an upper polygonalframe portion provided with pairs of oppositely disposed spacedprojections; a tent cover assemblage having a main body portionconstituted of a plurality of flexible panels, and having a flexible toppanel constituting a roof of said main body portion; and a pair offlexible, elongate, stretchable fastening members at their ends attachedto the upper part of the main body portion at the said top panel, saidelastic members being stretched and passed around the upper frameportion of the frame structure from below the same and extendingalongside the top of the frame structure and the projections thereof forthe purpose of suspending the cover assemblage from the frame structure.

2. A tent frame structure adapted to be readily set up for use ordismantled for carrying and storage, said structure being constituted inlarge part of small individual and separate, identical telescopingmodular units and comprising in combination an upper frame portion and aplu rality of legs depending from said upper frame portion, each of thelegs having a plurality of said identical units telescoped one withanother and extending one beyond another, the uppermost units of thelegs having projecting pins, said upper frame portion having one pair ofopposite sides constituted each of a plurality of said identical units,each of said sides having a projecting pin at one end; and a pair ofelongate connector members constituting remaining sides of said upperframe portion, said connector members having sockets receiving theprojecting pins of the legs, and having a center socket and othersockets, said projecting pins of the one pair of opposite sides of theupper frame portion being received in said other sockets of oneconnector member; and adapter members each having a pair of oppositelyprojecting pins, said adapter members joining the other connector memberto said pair of opposite sides, the pins of said adapter members beingreceived in said other sockets of the other connector member and insockets provided in said pair of sides, and a rigid extension on theframe structure, constituted of a plurality of said identical modularunits assembled as a single cantilever support, said extension having anaxially projecting pin at one end, said pin being received in saidcenter socket of one of said connector members.

3. A tent frame structure adapted to be readily set up for use ordismantled for carrying and storage, said structure being constituted inlarge part of small individual and separate, identical telescopingmodular units and comprising in combination an upper frame portion and aplurality of legs depending from said upper frame portion, each of thelegs having a plurality of said identical units telescoped one withanother and extending one beyond another, the uppermost units of thelegs having projecting pins, said upper frame portion having one pair ofopposite sides constituted each of a plurality of said identical units,each of said sides having a projecting pin at one end; and a pair ofelongate connector members constituting remaining sides of said upperframe portion, said connector members having sockets receiving theprojecting pins of the legs, and having a center socket and othersockets, said projecting pins of the one pair of opposite sides of theupper frame portion being received in said other sockets of oneconnector member; and adapter members each having a pair of oppositelyprojecting pins, said adapter members joining the other connector memberto said pair of opposite sides, the pins of said adapter members beingreceived in said other sockets of the other connector member and insockets provided in said pair of sides, and two rigid frame extensionsextending in opposite directions from the upper frame portion, each suchextension being constituted of a plurality of telescoping modular unitsassembled as a single cantilever support, and each extension having anaxially projecting pin at one end, said pins being received in the saidcenter sockets of the connector members.

4. A tent frame structure adapted to be readily set up for use ordismantled for carrying and storage, said structure being constituted inlarge part of small individual and separate, identical telescopingmodular units and comprising in combination an upper frame portion and aplurality of legs depending from said upper frame portion, each of thelegs having a plurality of said identical units telescoped one withanother and extending one beyond another, the uppermost units of thelegs having projecting pins, said upper frame portion having one pair ofopposite sides constituted each of a plurality of said identical units,each of said sides having a projecting pin at one end; and a pair ofelongate connector members constituting remaining sides of said upperframe portion, said connector members having sockets receiving theprojecting pins of the legs, and having a center socket and othersockets, said projecting pins of the one pair of opposite sides of theupper frame portion being received in said other sockets of oneconnector member; and adapter members each having a pair of oppositelyprojecting pins, said adapter members joining the other connector memberto said pair of opposite sides, the pins of said adapter members beingreceived in said other sockets of the other connector member and insockets provided in said pair of sides, and elastic fastening meansformed to overlie the upper frame portion of the frame structure anddepend from the upper frame portion outwardly thereof for securing atent body assemblage to the frame structure by resilient suspension.

5. 'In a tent frame structure adapted to be readily set up for use ordismantled for carrying and storage, said frame structure beingconstituted in large part of small individual and separate, identicaltelescoping modular units and comprising an upper frame portion and aplurality of legs depending from said upper frame portion, said upperframe portion having opposite sides held in spaced-apart relation by apair of elongate connector members secured thereto and constitutingremaining sides of said upper frame portion, the combination of twoelongate, elastic and stretchable fastening members formed each toextend across the upper frame portion of the frame structure at one sidethereof and overhand outside the upper frame portion for securing a tentbody assemblage to the frame structure by resilient suspension, andmeans for holding said fastening members in place on said upper frameportion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS357,329 McKoon Feb. 8, 1887 1,456,918 Dudley May 29, 1923 1,531,622Parsons Mar. 31, 1925 2,282,433 Solderquist May 12, 1942 2,391,871Benson Jan. 1, 1946 2,646,057 Blanchard July 21, 1953 2,898,923 SmileyAug. 11, 1959 OTHER REFERENCES Obradovic: Yugoslavia publicationInventions, Federal Patent Oflice (page 139, item 33), published Sept.30, 1957.

